Shark Class
Destroyers.
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1935 and the implementation of a dual purpose gun system was put into production
in a destroyer class. The previous River class had the same 4.5" gun but the new
power operated turrets and guns made a difference in rate-of-fire as well as
being very useful against both surface and air targets. Putting the guns into
two twin turrets left extra space aft for extra depth charge handling, while
forward allowed an extra twin 40mm. The biggest change was the extra breadth
required to mount the twin turret, which also helped address the added topweight
of the turret versus the open mountings.
Displacement: 1,750 tons standard, 2,400 tons full load.
Dimensions: 323 x 38 x 12 feet
Machinery: 2 shaft, steam turbines, 42,000shp
Speed: 35 knots
Endurance: 4,500 miles @ 14 knots.
Armour: nil
Armament:
4 x 4.5" (2x2)
6 x 40mm (3x2)
8 x 21" torpedoes (2x4)
Crew: 150
The ten years 1935 to 1945 were a period of massive change for warships, the
introduction of dual purpose weapons and then to automatic weapons were one
change but an even bigger change was the electronic equipment designed to
improve the hit and kill rate of the new guns. 1939-42 changed ships like the
Hammerhead above to the Mako below. Electronics and extra AA equipment sprouted
everywhere.
As refitted to 1940
Displacement: 1,800 tons standard, 2,50 tons full load.
Dimensions: 323 x 38 x 12 feet
Machinery: 2 shaft, steam turbines, 42,000shp
Speed: 35 knots
Endurance: 4,500 miles @ 14 knots.
Armour: nil
Armament:
4 x 4.5" (2x2)
10 x 40mm (5x2)
8 x 21" torpedoes (2x4)
Crew: 150
Hammerhead (1935) Service/Fate
Mako (1935) Service/Fate